Wednesday, 17 October 2018

GIRL BOSS - INTERVIEW WITH DANIELLE JAYNE DASS

Time for another #girlboss interview! Get to know what keeps these Queens motivated to do the mostest! This week we chat to Danielle Jayne Dass, a fashion designer with her own fashion label, blogger and recent mom of 2!

1. Who is your favourite female fictional character and why?

Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada. She exudes
confidence and style! Although the sternness of her character didn’t always
appeal to me, she was the ultimate Boss Lady and I dreamed of having a career
like her.

2. Were you a girly girl or a tom boy growing up?

Both! I loved sport and getting down and dirty. Most of my
childhood memories are of me playing outside with my sisters and pretending I
was in an episode of The Gladiators. My girly side came out whenever my mum was
at work and I would sneak into her closet and walk around in her heels (She’s
still mad that I jumped in the pool with her favourite velvet boots)

3. If a genie gave you 3 wishes, what would you wish for?

4. Let's talk about mamahood! How do you balance your career
and spending time with your daughter and family?

Balancing my career vs family time has never been too much
of an issue – mainly because I work the usual 8am to 5pm job and very rarely
have to work overtime. I don’t think Alyssa even misses me much while I’m at
work because she has her grandma and great gran spoiling her throughout the day.
Weekends are when we really try to spend time together as a family. My own
clothing label has taken a back seat though because I couldn’t keep up with
working all day and then coming home and working on my brand – I would rather
spend that time with Alyssa. Which is why I actually ventured off into the
blogging world because I could still keep my creative juices alive but in my
own time and at my own pace.

5. Do you believe women should get more maternity leave?

Definitely! If you want it then I don’t believe it should be
denied. Alyssa was a really easy baby so I was comfortable going back to work
after my 3 months with her, however, some babies and mums need that extra time
especially if you have a baba who is collicy or prem. I’m sure there are many
more reasons as well!

6. How do you actively raise your daughter to be a #girlboss?

I don’t smother her – I allow her to be independent and try
things on her own (within reason) and I also allow her to have her outspoken
moments – aslong as its not cheeky! I don’t want her to feel like she’s too
sheltered from the world or that she has to be quiet and soft spoken to be
liked. She’s had her own personality from the moment she was born and we always
allow that to shine through.

Like mother, like daughter

7. What advice do you have for young mothers who are also
trying to dominate and progress in their careers?

Don’t give up on your dreams or goals because you feel
guilty about using that time for you and not your baba. One day they will
admire the fact that you pushed on to make a future for yourself and them!

8. Behind every warrior princess is a warrior queen! Tell us a
bit more about how your mother has inspired you in any aspect of life or
motherhood?

My mom is my best friend – even though she denies it. Also
she told me to say that everything good about me is because of her. Seriously
though, my mum is the most head strong women I know and she’s taught me to
always stand up for what I believe in and always treat others with kindness
even when I don’t want to.

5 Generatons - from Danielle's great grand mother (who is 86) to Alyssa!

9. Tell us a bit more about yourself? (What you do as a career,
some of your hobbies, what are your passions and goals for the future)

I work as Head Designer and digital patternmaker at a
workwear manufacturing company. Its not the dreamy fashion job but it has given
me experience I would have never gotten anywhere else! I love my job so much!
My hobbies include lying in bed in my pajamas and doing some online shopping
(im not kidding) I used to love swimming – the competitive kind. I was part of
the KZN swimming team a few years ago but I haven’t done laps in years (One of
my goals for 2019 is to get back into this after baby #2 - UPDATE: Baby boy Aidan Jai has made his way into the world!) Im passionate about
all things fashion and beauty related – in true Plain Jayne style though!
Emphasis on the Plain part – I think I’m a glam queen at heart but I can’t hide
from the minimalist side either – its so conflicting right?? In the future I
hope I find myself moving more into design and away from manufacturing, that’s
where my true passion lies.

10. If you could give your 13 year old self one piece of
advice, what would it be?

That ANYTHING is possible if you put your whole heart into
it! Also – be nicer to your parents. They’re not the enemy! They’re the only
ones who literally want nothing but the best for you – trust that.

No comments

Post a Comment

I'm Asha, a 21 year old lifestyle blogger from South Africa. Passionate about feminism and politics, my other favourite things include long walks on the beach, memes, road trips, netflix binge watching, memes, foreign language movies, video games and did I mention memes?